Stewards held a meeting with F1 drivers ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix to discuss guidelines for on-track battles.
Garry Connelly, Chairman of the FIA Stewards, welcomed a constructive dialogue and significant progress.
In addition to the commissioners, the drivers were present, as well as team representatives, and representatives of the Formula 1 race management to the FIA. The new race director, Rui Marques, was also there.
“The meeting was the most productive we have ever attended” a admis Connelly. “The drivers were fantastic in their input. They were very constructive. There wasn't a single negative comment. They didn't point fingers.”
“It was very inspiring to see the best drivers in the world communicating clearly and speaking constructively about how we can improve the Driving Standards Guidelines, for the benefit of the drivers and to make our work easier. all.”
“As stewards, we are not here to inflict pain on drivers. We are here to provide a level playing field. It is not us against the drivers, it is the drivers against the drivers, and we are there to make sure everyone is on a level playing field.”
“We have an open door policy. The door to the stewards' room is always open to any driver who wishes to come and talk to us about a decision that has been made regarding them or another driver. We We believe that Thursday's meeting emphasized this open door policy.”
“The Driving Standards Guidelines are a living document. Every year, as F1 commissioners, we try to meet with drivers, sporting directors and FIA representatives to see if we need to change the guidelines accordingly. of the experience of the last 12 months and see what improvements we can make to ensure consistency. The aim of the guidelines is consistency.
“As commissioners, if drivers, teams and the FIA agree that they want rules or guidelines to enable more aggressive driving, we will apply those rules or guidelines. Likewise, if they want rules or guidelines allowing more aggressive driving, we will apply them.”
“The open exchange we need”
The FIA single-seater director, Tim Malyon, also praised the productive aspect of this meeting, and the way in which things were said. He recalls that this type of meeting is held approximately twice a year when possible, to move things forward between the drivers and the commissioners.
“We will always try to facilitate such meetings, as it is extremely important to get the feedback, the vision of the pilots, to enable us to evolve the guidelines in the right direction” Malyon said.
“We have had very constructive meetings with the drivers over the last few races, and this meeting was specially organized to allow that dialogue to continue, so that we can have the open exchange that we need with the drivers to make evolve the guidelines for next year.”
“We typically hold a meeting of this type at least once a year, sometimes twice a year, depending on the topics discussed. This year, we scheduled this meeting following the constructive discussions that took place in Mexico City and Austin.”
Gravels at the center of discussions
Malyon confirmed that the addition of gravel, which drivers often talk about, was seriously addressed: “As the FIA, we are constantly working with the circuits to evolve them in many ways.”
“Obviously we are working on the safety aspect of the circuits. But this meeting has highlighted a number of sporting considerations, which we can prioritize for the circuits in the future.”
“As we have done this year, we have introduced gravel traps, starting with Austria, and obviously, this weekend being perhaps the most obvious with gravel traps added to a number of 'places.'
“We continue to work with the circuits on all subjects, but it was very useful during the meeting to get the drivers' opinion and see how they are prioritizing the concept of gravel runoffs, not only for the limits of the track, but also to deal with some of the situations that have arisen with overtaking in the last four or five races.”
“Overall, participants were committed to working together to find solutions that work for everyone.”
The FIA has launched a High Performance Program to develop stewards from different regions who have joined automobile clubs: “The HPP is an initiative of our President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. One of them is here with us today, Caroline Tuta Mionki, a woman from Kenya.”
“Our HPP program is designed to accelerate the progression of young talent through the system, training them and bringing them into FIA Championships as stewards as soon as they are fully qualified,” concludes Connelly.
